Public hearing on crime tonight

Police redistribution, tax rise proposed to cut rate

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, April 25, 2005

A citywide crime summit today will be more than a meeting about the latest string of burglaries or rash of car thefts.

Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata, who organized the summit, is outspoken in his belief that the best way to fight crime is by reducing drug addiction, homelessness and other social ills. "Just more police by themselves does not equal less crime," he said.

Though he supports a new plan by Mayor Greg Nickels to hire 25 more officers, Licata proposed in February a three-year property tax increase to raise $10.5 million -- money that would be divided equally among police, fire and human services organizations.

Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske and captains from each of the city's five precincts are expected to attend the meeting. Police officials plan to review crime statistics and discuss how officers are deployed around the city.

Members of the advisory councils that meet with Police Department leaders also will attend.

Last week, city officials issued a report on police staffing that showed the department has about 1,250 officers. Of those, a little more than 660 were assigned to patrol duties.

The most patrol officers -- 187 -- are assigned to the North Precinct. The fewest -- 91 -- are assigned to the South Precinct. That precinct was recently divided when the newest police center, the Southwest Precinct on Delridge Way, opened with 97 officers.

Nickel's proposal would divide the city's 25 new officers equally among the precincts. If approved by the City Council, the move would cost more than $800,000 this year and between $1.7 million and $2.3 million next year.

Licata said he's hoping for a large summit turnout.

"If you're interested in public safety in your neighborhood, then you should show up," he said.